Anaerobic Biodegradation

Definitions

Anaerobic Biodegradation - "The degradation of compounds by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen." - National Research Council, 1994

Anaerobic Respiration - "The process whereby microorganisms use a chemical other than oxygen as an electron acceptor. Common 'substitutes' for oxygen are nitrate, sulfate, and iron." - National Research Council, 1993

Anaerobic Respiration - "In anaerobic respiration, nitrate (NO3-), sulfate (SO42-), metals such as iron (Fe3+) and manganese (Mn4+), or even CO2 can play the role of oxygen, accepting electrons from the degraded contaminant. Thus, anaerobic respiration uses inorganic chemicals as electron acceptors. In addition to new cell matter, the byproducts of anaerobic respiration may include nitrogen gas (N2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), reduced forms of metals, and methane (CH4), depending on the electron acceptor." - National Research Council, 1993